'Tis Still Wet (June 21, 2010)

Well, at least I am getting my money's worth out of the rain jacket and pants that I purchased last year.

Not a lot to say about the past two days of riding, other than to say "Idaho approaches".

Saturday's 50 mile ride from Colville to Ione was supposed to be an easy day, but it turned out to be moderately difficult ... no major climbs, just several shorter, slow climbs. I did not see a major Pass called out on the map, but I did see one roadside sign calling out a Pass by the name "Do Not". Pretty easy climb to this sign.

I am thankful to be traveling with Sheryl, Phillip, John and Tom. We spent the night at a wonderful RV Park outside of Ione. Met two touring bicyclist from New Zealand ... Joan and Heinrich. They are also traveling on the Northern Tier route; they rode across the U.S. 30 years ago. It would be good to meet up with them again somewhere along the road.

Yesterday's ride wound along the Pend Oreille (pon-da-ray) River for 55 miles or so, ending in Newport, WA. Beautiful scenery, and for a while, miserably cold and wet riding. As is usual, once you put on all of the various waterproof items of clothing the glorious sun breaks through the clouds, which then converts the uncomfortableness from wet and cold to steamingly-hot temps contained within the waterproof clothing. Finished the ride in a short sleeve jersey and shorts ... ahhh.

This past evening I stayed in a $45-a-night motel here in Newport. There was only one room available, so my riding partners headed to another motel in town. There was only one room available because there is a group of bicyclists staying here as well. This group of 24 riders (or so) started their ride yesterday morning in Spokane and are heading up into Canada, returning to Spokane around July 1. I shared dinner with four of the riders ... also shared much laughter and delightful conversation. I think the act of bicycle touring relieves so much of the everyday stress it encourages animated conversations.

This group's ride is organized through the Bicycle Adventure Club, a non-profit organization in which tours (throughout the world) are organized and led by members. Information about the organization is available at their website at www.bicycleadventureclub.org.

We are heading on to Sandpoint, Idaho today ... no surprise, weather projections call for rain. Sheryl, Phillip and John will be heading back westward in the next day or two, and Tom and I will continue east. Sorry to see the three departing as they have been a joy. Sheryl, Phillip, John ... thank you for your friendship. Hope we can share some riding adventures sometime in the future.

I received an e-mail from Tucson friend Sally Krusing yesterday; she has been touring England for a couple of weeks. She commented on the fact that it has been consistently cold and wet, which is something with which I can relate. Sally, thanks for sharing my discomfort.

Time to start packing up the panniers, load the bike and head out into the moist weather. Weather aside, life continues the be good.